A New Freedom Coach for Blairgowrie
This week, Stanford Coachworks headed to Scotland to deliver a very special accessible minibus to our returning customers, Blairgowrie Freedom Coach.
We had the pleasure of working with the charity back in 2012 to convert their first SCW vehicle - a fully accessible minibus that has served them so well they haven’t needed a new one until now!
Blairgowrie’s first freedom coach converted by Stanford Coachworks in 2012.
Who are Blairgowrie Freedom Coach?
Blairgowrie Freedom Coach is a long-standing charity based in Blairgowrie, Scotland, dedicated to supporting residents with affordable, accessible community transport. Established in 1981, the service was created to help people remain as independent as possible by ensuring they could continue to access essential services, social activities and everyday outings. Today, the charity offers weekly shopping trips to a range of supermarkets (even lending a hand with bags) alongside a varied programme of journeys including transport to lunch clubs, craft groups, theatre visits, social outings and more. Their mission remains the same as it was over four decades ago: to keep local people connected, supported and able to live life on their terms.
The All-New Blairgowrie Freedom Coach
The all-new Blairgowrie Freedom Coach is based on the Mercedes Sprinter L4H2 and is finished with Blairgowrie’s distinctive, colourful signwriting. Inside, the vehicle can accommodate up to 15 passengers plus driver, or 2 wheelchair users with some seats easily removed. The passenger saloon features our specialist SCW Flat Floor with a front-entry design adapted to serve as the main passenger entrance. The front entrance features low-level steps and grab handles which ensure smooth boarding for everyone.
At the rear of the vehicle an underfloor tail lift provides safe access for wheelchair users. Additional features include passenger cabin heating and air conditioning for year-round comfort, SCW Eclipse blue premium passenger seating, soft-feel interior trim and wood-effect non-slip floor covering - creating a practical and welcoming environment for every journey. For more on the vehicle’s full conversion specification, please see below.
Vehicle Specification
Based on the Mercedes Sprinter L4H2
Blairgowrie Freedom Coach exterior signwriting
Limo-tinted rear passenger windows
Front-entry design with cut-in front drop step
PLS underfloor tail lift
SCW specialist Flat Floor design
15 x passenger seats plus driver
Removable seating to create space for up to 2 x wheelchairs
Premium passenger seats upholstered in SCW blue Eclipse design
Driver’s seat reupholstered to match the rear saloon
Interior trimmed in grey soft-feel materials
Wood-effect non-slip floor covering
Blue feature panels throughout
Eberspaecher rear saloon heating and air conditioning
LED blue / white interior lighting
Overhead rear storage compartment
Upper cant rail and side wall tracking
Wheelchair restraint storage box behind driver’s seat
Additional custom-built storage boxes on rear doors
Heavy-duty rear door stays
We would like to thank Blairgowrie for once again choosing Stanford Coachworks and trusting us with the creation of their latest Freedom Coach. It’s been a pleasure to support their service, and we hope local residents enjoy travelling in the new vehicle for many years to come.